Sunday, May 29, 2011

TV: New Shows to Watch for Next Season (Commentary)

The last few weeks have been filled with network upfronts announcing the slate of shows scheduled for this fall, and GeekPlate decided to check out the previews of all of the new shows announced and showcase the ones that seemed most interesting.

Terra Nova. FOX. Mondays.

A group of settlers leave in an environmentally ravaged future and are sent into the past in an attempt to give humanity a second chance at surviving. The new settlement is based in prehistoric times when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Steven Spielberg is an executive producer and Stephen Lang ("Avatar") plays the commander of the settlement.

Hart of Dixie. CW. Mondays.

A young city doctor struggling to make her place in the world finds herself adjusting to the small town life after inheriting a local medical practice. Josh Schwartz ("Chuck") is executive producer and Rachel Bilson ("Jumper") stars.

The Playboy Club. NBC. Mondays.

Centered around the infamous Playboy Club in 1960's Chicago following the rise and fall of the first Playboy bunnies. Eddie Cibrian ("Third Watch") and Amber Heard ("Drive Angry") star.

New Girl. FOX. Tuesdays.

An unlucky-in-love school teacher moves away from her ex and in with three rowdy men. Zooey Deschanel ("500 Days of Summer") and Damon Wayans Jr. star in the sitcom.

MIDSEASON (Unfortunately some really stellar shows are being held off until midseason. Here are two of them.)

Alcatraz. FOX. Mondays.

An investigation is created when prisoners and guards who mysteriously disappeared from the island prison decades ago suddenly reappear in the present. JJ Abrams is executive producer with Jorge Garcia ("Lost") and Sam Neill ("Jurassic Park") stars.

Awake. NBC.

An injured detective wakes up from a car accident to find himself living in two different realities: one where his wife survived the crash and one where his son survived instead. Jason Isaacs ("Harry Potter") stars.